Amalgamator



(No Model.)

H. COOK.

AMALGAMATOR.

. Patented May 8, 1887.

WITNESSES: .40. 9% Z M 1 said material dropping into the bath D.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY COOK, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

AMALGAMATO R.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 362,363, dated May 3,1887. Application filed May 26, 1886. Serial No. 203,272. (No model.) I

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 'L HENRY COOK, a citizen of the United States, residingin the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Amalgamators, which improvementis fully set forth in the following specification and accompanyingdrawings, in which- Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a portion ofan amalgamator embodying-my invention. Fig. 2 represents an end viewthereof. Fig. 3 represents a horizontal section of a portion thereof.Fig. 4 is a section on line a: a, Fig. 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding partsin the severalfigures.

My invention consists of an improvement in an apparatus for separatinggold from auriferous earth, with or without-the use of water, and takinggold, silver, or other amalgamating minerals from pulverized ores, aswill be hereinafter set forth.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a cylindrical or other shapedreceiver, which is mounted on a suitable frame or truck and capable ofrotation. The receiver is made entirely of copper, or, if preferred, itmay have a lining of said metal or any other substance suitable foramalgamating purposes, and contains spiral flanges B, of iron or othersuitable metal.

At the discharge end of the receiver is an outwardly-projecting flangeor flaring rim, 0, which dips into a mercury-bath, D, thelatter beingproperly supported on a spout, E,which leads from the receiver A into acylinder, F, which latter Idenominate a mercury-saver, and in mostrespects is similar to that shown in an application for Letters Patentmade by me on or about the 12th of January, 1886. Connected with themercury-bath is a scraper, G, which is in contact with the innerperiphery of the flange or rim 0 in such manner that when the receiverrotates as the flange rises from the bath it comes in contact with thescraper, thus causing the scraping or removing of the adhering materialfrom the flange, The scraper is formed preferably of a piece of rubber,which is secured to a metallic head, the latter being connected wit-hthe walls of the 'vanes ofthe beater F.

mercury-bath. A pipe, H, is connected with the bath and leads to asuitable receptacle, so that when the bath is overcharged with mercurythe latter escapes through the pipe H into said receptacle, the baththus being relieved and the mercury saved.

The operation is as follows: Mercury is admitted into the receiver, andthe rotation of the latter with its flange causes the auriferous earthand mercury to move toward the discharge end of said receiver and theturning and overturning of the same, the particles of minerals comingin'contact with the mercurycoated lining or cylinder. The mineral andmercury reach the flange O, and are removed therefrom by the scraper, ashas been stated.

The earth is carried over the scraper and directed by the spout E intothe mercury-saver F, where it is further treated.

The mercury-saver F consists of a copper or other suitable cylinderhaving its lower por tion slotted and provided with a heater, F, whichis attached to a rotary shaft, the latter being operated from thegearing of the receiver A.

At the end of the cylinder or saver F is a dust chamber and indicator,J, within which is a cylinder, K, having screens L in its periphery,said screens being removably applied in position, so that when they arenot required they may be substituted by solid or closed piecescontinuous of the cylinder K, said cylinder K containing a number of thepaddles or At the outer end of the chamberJ is a discharge-spout, M, fortailings, and below the cylinder K is a spout, N.

The mixed earth and waste mercury or overcharge from the receiver Aenters the cylinder or saver F, and is beaten therein and dashed againstthe inner side of the same. The mercury escapes through the slots of thecylinder F'into a trough, F, from whence it may be gathered. The fineparticles of dust pass through the screens L and enter the spout N,whereby they may be collected and afterward returned to the amalgamatingcylinder or receiver A, the mercury in said dust serving to rechargesaid receiver.

The cylinder F has its upper part hinged, whereby it may be opened foraccess to the same for cleansing and other purposes.

The chamber J has also an open top, so that by lifting the same any lossof mercury from the cylinder F may be perceived.

I am aware that amalgamators have been constructed having areceiving-cylinder with a flaring rim, the same being adapted to dipinto a recess, and also that scrapers in connection withreceivingcylinders are not new; but the constructions heretofore invogue, so far as known to me, have the flaring rim at the receiving endof the cylinder, and the recess in which the rim dips is part or aportion ofthehopper into which the material is poured for which reasonsuch construction is not broadly claimed; but in the invention hereindescribed the flaring rim is at the discharge end of the cylinder, andthe bath is not a part of the hopper, but secured independently thereof.The scraper is also secured to the walls of the bath, and, as described,is of increased utility and advantage in the device.

I am also aware that in an injector removable circular plates or disksare used; but I am not aware that dust-chambers have been provided withscreens adapted to be readily removed and ones of a different gradeeasily substituted in place thereof.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an amalgarnator, acylinder having an outwardly-flaring rim at itsdischarge end with means for rotating said cylinder, in combination witha mercury-bath in which said rim dips, and a scraper attached to thewalls of 35 said bath and having its free end in contact with the innerperiphery of said rim, all substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

2. An amalgamator having a mercury-saving cylinder, a dust-chamber, anda cylinder in said dust-chamber, the latter cylinder having sideopenings provided with screens or closed pieces, the said screens orclosed pieces being removable, all substantially as and for the purposeset forth.

HENRY COOK.

\Vitnesses:

JOHN A W'rnnnnsnnm A. P. GRANT.

